COMMUNITY NEWS for August 7 issue

August 7, 2014

LAHAINA - Due to Hurricane Iselle, which is expected to hit Maui on Friday, Aug. 8, Second Friday activities in Lahaina are cancelled.

This includes Campbell Park activities, the Summer Block Party from Papalaua Street to Lahainaluna Road, and the 2015 Lahaina Poster Contest reception at the Old Jail Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse.

Augie T’s “So Dumb” Tour is coming to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s McCoy Studio Theater on Friday, Aug. 15, at 7:30 p.m. The top Hawaii comedian is back to produce and film his sixth one-man statewide comedy show. It’s been over three years since his last one-man show. For tickets ($20 or $35), call 242-SHOW.

Maui Calls, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s annual signature benefit gala, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, in the MACC’s Yokouchi Pavilion and A&B Amphitheater. Enjoy delectable pupus created by chefs from stellar Maui restaurants paired with premium wines served by vintners from boutique wineries around the world. This year, the event theme is “Celebrating the Songs of Hawaii;” music will indeed be flowing over the soft summer evening! The gala starts with a fresh flower lei greeting and Hawaiian music serenade. Highlights include live and silent auctions, concert with a surprise musical guest, and dancing under the glowing glass roof of the pavilion. Individual tickets $175; call 242-SHOW.

The poster reception has been rescheduled for Aug. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Old Jail Gallery.

The next Lahaina Second Friday event will be held on Sept. 12.

For information, call the Lahaina Visitor Center at 667-9193.

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Pi Artisan Pizzeria open in Lahaina

LAHAINA - Pi Artisan Pizzeria Lahaina opened its doors on Monday, Aug. 4, offering high-quality Italian food using fresh, local produce and ingredients in a fast, casual and fun environment.

Pi Artisan Pizzeria is located at 900 Front St. on the ocean side of The Outlets of Maui.

The heart of the restaurant is its 8,000-pound kiawe wood-burning oven fired at 800 degrees to produce a crispy, rustic pizza in five minutes.

Fresh pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, sausages, meatballs, porchetta, sauces and desserts will all be made daily and in-house. Diners will be able to watch the team make these items fresh from the glass-walled dough room.

The full-service bar will offer handcrafted cocktails, local brews on tap and a selection of wine.

Pi Artisan Pizzeria opens daily at 11 a.m. It will close at 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. A full menu and additional information is available at www.pi808.com or by calling 667-0791.

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Public invited to O Bon Festival

LAHAINA - Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, 551 Wainee St., invites the public to join in and experience its O Bon Festival on Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23, with the service beginning at 6 p.m. and dancing starting at 7:30 p.m.

Both evenings will be integrated with live and recorded music, bright lanterns and booming drums. Although many of the dancers will be wearing colorful kimonos or hapi coats, everyone is welcome to dance as they are.

O Bon is one of the major Buddhist observances during the year. It is a joyous time to remember one's ancestors, express gratitude for their sacrifices and to be with them in spirit.

On Maui, O Bon festivities begin in mid-June and extend through August. On each weekend during this period, services in remembrance of departed ancestors are held at different temples. Dances begin after the services. Dancers in colorful kimonos form circles around the yagura (musicians' tower) and dance to traditional and modern Japanese folk songs.

Food concessions will include traditional chow fun, nishime, bento plate, shave ice, sushi and soda. There will also be a craft sale and games for the young. The temple and grounds are colorfully decorated with paper lanterns, flowers and banners. The fragrance of incense surrounds the festival.

O Bon dance practice will be held on Aug. 12 and 19 at 7 p.m. at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission. For more information, call Richard Nishihara of Lahaina Hongwanji Mission at 870-6478.

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Marine courses to be offered in Lahaina

LAHAINA - The Marine Options Program coordinator for the University of Hawaii Maui College, Donna Liddicote Brown, has been teaching oceanography and ocean conservation for nearly 20 years.

A West Maui resident, Brown has long recognized the need and interest in ocean awareness on our side of the island. Her dream has been to bring the Marine Options Program to Lahaina, and that may become a reality soon.

In the Fall 2014 semester, U.H. Maui will offer "Introduction to the Marine Options Program" at the Lahaina Education Center. Explaining the program and offering a basic orientation to ocean awareness, this eight-week course will run Thursday evenings from Aug. 28 through Oct. 16 from 6 to 7:50 p.m. at the Lahaina Education Center on Kenui Street near the Front Street Apartments.

If there is sufficient interest, the goal is to offer one class each semester in Lahaina that will go toward filling the ASC (Academic Subject Certificate) in Marine Options. This would enable West Siders to become involved with area projects.

The cost of tuition for established residents is $116 plus student tech fee, and the class size is limited to 18. If you are interested in enrolling for this or other Lahaina courses, stop by the Lahaina Education Center at 60 Kenui St. or call 662-3911.

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Free educational seminars slated

KAHULUI - Hale Makua Health Services is offering free seminars every Wednesday evening from Aug. 6 through Oct. 22. The seminars cover a variety of topics of increasing importance as people age.

"Long-Term Care 101" on Aug. 6, Sept. 3 or Oct. 1 will cover home-, community- and facility-based long-term care options available, what they cost and who covers the cost of care.

In "Experience Living with Dementia" on Aug. 13, Sept. 10 or Oct. 8, walk in the shoes of someone suffering from dementia to learn first-hand what it feels like.

"Medicare & Medicaid 101" on Aug. 20, Sept. 17 or Oct. 15 will cover the basics about what Medicare and Medicaid are, what the various plans cover and how to qualify for coverage.